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BMW X5 G65 2026: unveiling summer 2026 with five powertrain options

© D.Novikov
BMW X5 G65 debuts summer 2026 with gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, electric iX5, and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. Learn about tech, release dates, and production.
Michael Powers, Editor

BMW is preparing to unveil the new generation of the X5 crossover. The debut of the model, which will carry the G65 designation, is scheduled for summer 2026. This announcement came from company head Oliver Zipse during BMW's annual conference.

The fifth-generation X5 is set to become one of the brand's most technologically advanced models. For the first time in BMW's history, a single vehicle will be offered with five different powertrain types. Buyers will have options including gasoline and diesel engines, plug-in hybrids, a fully electric iX5 version, and even a hydrogen fuel cell variant.

The hydrogen version, likely to be named iX5 Hydrogen, will arrive later—around 2028. BMW is collaborating with Toyota on this project to develop a new generation of fuel cells.

Base versions of the new X5 will feature inline six-cylinder engines, while more powerful M Performance and M models will retain V8 units. Some sporty versions may also get fully electric options. The plug-in hybrid is expected to use new sixth-generation batteries, which should significantly increase electric-only range compared to the current X5 xDrive50e, which can travel up to 110 km on the WLTP cycle.

Production of the new BMW X5 will begin in August 2026 at the company's plant in Spartanburg, USA. The first models to hit the market will be the 40 xDrive and 40d xDrive versions, followed by hybrid and electric variants.

The BMW X5 remains one of the most popular premium crossovers in the Russian market. Despite the halt in official deliveries, new vehicles continue to enter the country through parallel imports, so the arrival of the new G65-generation X5 is likely to quickly attract attention from Russian buyers.